Unbeaten runner silences doubters after a year offBanbridge takes King George prize back to IrelandThe delight and relief that swirled around Constitution Hill as he extended his unbeaten record to nine starts here on Thursday expressed itself in various ways. Nicky Henderson, his trainer, was teary, the punters who sent him off favourite were jubilant and Nico de Boinville, the winner’s jockey, was rounding on the critics. “It was definitely worth the wait,” he told an ITV racing reporter shortly after their handing only a second career defeat to the excellent mare, Lossiemouth. “And one more thing. Paddy Brennan, you can shove that where the sun don’t shine.”It was, perhaps, a little unnecessary in what is, after all, a game of opinions, and his former weighing-room colleague’s pre-race view that Lossiemouth would emerge victorious was clearly shared by many, as she set off at 11-8. But it was a clear sign of the pressure that had been building in the weeks leading up to Constitut...

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Nico de Boinville had been riled by ex-jockey Paddy Brennan’s comments about Constitution Hill who won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton

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Nico de Boinville guided Constitution Hill to glory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park

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Banbridge overhauled Il Est Francais to claim a dramatic victory in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day1 Leader In The Park 5-1 2 Asta La Pasta 15-8 fav 3 El Rio 11-1Ladbrokes Best Odds Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm)And they’re off El Rio and Leader In The Park get off to a flying start with Leader In The Park leading in the early stages Es Perfecto has lost places and is now at the back Asta La Pasta travels well Fire Flyer is being ridden along Asta La Pasta moves into third still going smoothly Leader In The Park and Asta La Pasta go for home Leader In The Park has quickened up from the front and though Asta La Pasta travelled strongly the jockey Ben Jones has judged that well from the front and wins on Leader In The Park. Continue reading...

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Follow the Boxing Day card with feature race at 2.30pmTalking Horses | Email Tony with your thoughts here1 Leader In The Park 5-1 2 Asta La Pasta 15-8 fav 3 El Rio 11-1Ladbrokes Best Odds Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm)And they’re off El Rio and Leader In The Park get off to a flying start with Leader In The Park leading in the early stages Es Perfecto has lost places and is now at the back Asta La Pasta travels well Fire Flyer is being ridden along Asta La Pasta moves into third still going smoothly Leader In The Park and Asta La Pasta go for home Leader In The Park has quickened up from the front and though Asta La Pasta travelled strongly the jockey Ben Jones has judged that well from the front and wins on Leader In The Park. Continue reading...

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